Cranberry Branch Dam is an earth dam located in Carroll County, Maryland, built in 1957. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 2,400 ft long, taller than 74% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Cranberry Branch Dam
The primary purpose of Cranberry Branch Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City of Westminster (local government). It impounds the Cranberry Branch-os near Cranberry Station.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 2,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 24 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 437 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1957, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/08/2024.
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Location
| State | Maryland |
| County | Carroll |
| Nearest City | Cranberry Station |
| River/Stream | Cranberry Branch-os |
| Coordinates | 39.60000, -76.96330 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 437 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 437 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 337 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 24 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 91 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Westminster |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/08/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00090 |
| Federal ID | MD00090 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |